The Americana Music Association's inaugural Americana Awards were presented Sept. 13, 2002, in Nashville at an event hosted by Jason Ringenberg, leader of Jason & the Scorchers.

Artist of the year: Jim Lauderdale
Album of the year: Buddy & Julie Miller, "Buddy & Julie Miller" (Hightone)
Song of the year: "She's Looking At Me," Jim Lauderdale & Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys
Instrumentalist of the year: Jerry Douglas
Lifetime achievement, executive: T Bone Burnett
Lifetime achievement, songwriter: Billy Joe Shaver
Lifetime achievement, performer: Emmylou Harris
President's Award: Doug Sahm
Spirit of Americana Free Speech Award: Johnny Cash